We all know that a shelter is not a place for dogs, but still, many of them are forced to spend their best days in that dark and cold place. 

The most heartbreaking situations are those in which senior dogs end up behind the bars of a kennel after many years spent in a warm home with a loving family.

The most difficult realization is that there is little chance that an older dog will ever experience the feeling of home again because most potential adopters are looking to adopt a puppy or a younger pup. 

Fortunately, there are still people with big hearts who are ready to bring happiness to just such furry creatures, and today’s story is the best proof of that.

A Smile That Said It All

A twelve-year-old dog named Mara was lucky enough to spend most of her life with a human who loved her from the bottom of her heart. 

Sadly, at one point, that fairy tale came to an end as her owner became homeless and wasn’t able to care for her anymore. Absolutely devastated and with her eyes full of tears, she was forced to surrender Mara to the Nebraska Humane Society, located in Omaha, Nebraska. 

Mara’s future suddenly became uncertain and the shelter employees weren’t optimistic, considering her age. However, just like the light at the end of the tunnel, a good soul suddenly appeared and gave her a new chance. 

“Adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday!” Sarah Brumfield, a 40-year-old community health educator from Omaha, Nebraska, wrote in her Reddit post. 

Adopted this senior sweetheart yesterday! (Bonus pic of splooting with her new sister)
byu/geekymama inBeforeNAfterAdoption

It was in this post that this big-hearted woman shared photos of Mara before and after adoption. Mara’s smile in the second photo said it all. 

Immense Love For Senior Dogs

Sarah’s immense empathy for senior dogs began after she and her family lost their first canine. Soon after that loss, they got a puppy named Hera, but unfortunately, it wasn’t long before their second senior dog passed away, too. 

Their hearts were absolutely broken, and it took them a long time to recover. However, what truly brought them back to life was the adoption of Mara. Her smile healed all their wounds and marked the beginning of a beautiful story – adopting senior dogs became their mission.

“Our first dog together was 8 years old, and after that, we decided to continue adopting senior dogs,” Brumfield told Newsweek. “We love being able to give them a home for however much time they may have left.”

While waiting for another canine friend of her age with a similar fate to join her, Mara enjoys her retirement days playing with her younger sister, Hera. 

“Hera and Mara are getting along wonderfully! It’s like Mara was meant to be part of our family,” Brumfield joyfully stated. 

We hope that this beautiful story will encourage other people to not turn their heads away from older dogs because they still have so much to offer. 

Mara is a living example of that.